Co-funded by the
European Union
Study visits bring topics to life!
MSc in Energy Transition (formerly known as MSc Clean Fossil and Alternative Fuels Energy) gives students a rare chance to experience high-quality industrial systems in action. With a major transition in the world’s energy systems from fossil fuels to renewables, and the simultaneous shift to decentralisation – multiple sources need to be interconnected. This transition affects every sector around the globe, creating lucrative opportunities for the development and implementation of contemporary energy systems. InnoEnergy Masters programmes are designed to help individuals be a part of this future transition!
In addition to real-life case studies, on-site study visits are key for students to gain first-hand experience with real industrial solutions and see them in action. They can engage with senior engineers and executives which gives them an excellent opportunity to find potential internship hosts, thesis mentors or even future employers.
Recently, the students visited the following impressive facilities in Poland – each with distinctive benefits to round out their studies:
Porąbka-Żar pumped-storage power plant
The Porąbka-Żar power plant has been an important source of peak load and grid stability in the Polish power system since 1979. Students learned about hydropower plants in the region, as well as the technology and importance of such plants in the general energy system – especially in the case of blackouts. They closely examined the technical rooms under the lake (as the plant worked at a reduced mode for easier viewing), seeing all the machines and devices needed to produce energy in action. This fascinating visit illustrated the theoretical knowledge gained from lectures and allowed them to see the actual construction of a power plant from a practical point of view.
Guido Mine
At 320m below the surface, on the site of the former working Guide mine (operational 1855-1960), this underground museum is the deepest visitor mine in Europe. The students donned actual mining gear – and had the pleasure of working as a miner for a few hours with real equipment! They performed actual mining jobs and learned the importance of those tasks and equipment through real-life miner’s stories. While their understanding of the environmental consequences and rich history of mining is essential, working as a team under very different circumstances was the unexpected highlight of their trip!
MASTER Sp., z o.o.
MASTER specialises in municipal waste disposal, waste management, selective waste collection, collection of hazardous waste, alternative fuels, production of electricity and heat from landfill biogas, and environmental education. The students toured Master’s facilities, which are some of the most advanced, fully automated plants for the treatment of waste – dedicated to the ecology and environmental safety of the entire process. They learned about waste management’s crucial role in a sustainable power sector. On their tour, they could see first-hand the enormity of daily waste production and were inspired to re-examine their own personal recycling and disposal habits.
Rybnik Power Station
Located next to an artificial lake that serves as a source of cooling water, Rybnik is the biggest power plant in this region – producing about 7% of Poland’s electricity. Students toured the facilities to see how the conventional coal-fired power plant operates, observing each element in detail. They were able to ask valuable questions regarding the economic, environmental and operational issues surrounding traditional energy production. The students felt that the power plant was a good example of this conventional power generation cycle, which is fundamental knowledge required by every engineer. They realise that understanding operational conditions of electricity generation equipment will assist them in creating future installation projects or even allow them to maintain existing ones.
While these are just a sample of the different study visits taken by the students, it’s clear that these trips are a highlight of the InnoEnergy MSc in Energy Transition programme. They genuinely allow the students to explore the changes facing today’s energy systems – both in the classroom and in the field.
New MSc Energy Transition scholarships (2019)
Exclusive opportunity for 2019 intake: all students who are applying to the Master’s in Energy Transition as first priority and who are admitted to the programme will be granted a tuition fee waiver (scholarship) worth €7.000 per year. The standard participation fee for InnoEnergy Master’s programmes is €15.000 per year. More about fees and funding.
